Goaltending (basketball)

[1][2][3][4][5][6] Goaltending in this context defines by exclusion what is considered a legal block of a field goal.

In high school and NCAA basketball, goaltending is also called when a player interferes with a free throw at any time in its flight towards the basket.

[8][9] Goaltending is commonly confused with the related violation of basket interference (also called offensive goaltending) which occurs during an attempted field goal when a player touches the basket, the rim, or the ball when it is on the rim or directly above it[clarification needed].

FIBA rules allow a defender to block any shot that is over the rim and the ball is on its upward flight.

Prior to the arrival of the high-jumping 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) Mikan, goaltending was not addressed because it was thought physically impossible.